Who has CHF?

Heart failure is the single most frequent cause of hospitalization for people aged 65 and older.

There are approximately 250,000 hospitalizations each year due to heart failure.

About 400,000 new cases of heart failure occur each year. The incidence of heart failure approaches 10 per 1,000 population after age 65.

70 percent of men and 79 percent of women who have heart failure have hypertension.

Heart failure rates are higher in people who survive heart attack. About 20 percent of heart attack victims will be disabled with heart failure within 6 years.

Treatment

Monitoring

Patients with CHF are monitored closely by their doctors. Patients are often requested to track their weight on a daily basis. Weight gain can be a sign that they are retaining fluid and that the pump function of the heart is worsening.

Medications

Your doctor may consider prescribing the following medications:

ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, and ramipril to open up blood vessels and decrease the work load of the heart

Diuretics including thiazide, loop diuretics, and potassium-sparing diuretics to help rid your body of fluid and sodium

Digitalis glycosides to increase the ability of the heart muscle to contract properly and help treat some heart rhythm disturbances

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as losartan and candesartan to reduce the workload of the heart; this class of drug is especially important for those who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors

Beta-blockers such as such as carvedilol and metoprolol, which are particularly useful for those with a history of coronary artery disease

Oxygen therapy

Stay active. Your doctor can provide a safe and effective exercise plan based on your degree of heart failure and how well you do on tests that check the strength and function of your heart. DO NOT exercise on days when your weight has gone up from fluid retention or when you are not feeling well.

Lose weight if you are overweight.

Get enough rest, including after exercise, eating, or other activities. This allows your heart to rest as well. Keep your feet elevated to decrease swelling.

Causes

Heart failure is almost always a chronic, long-term condition, although it can sometimes develop suddenly. This condition may affect the right side, the left side, or both sides of the heart.

Congestive heart failure can be caused by diseases that:

Weaken the heart muscle

Cause stiffening of the heart muscles

Increase oxygen demand by the body tissue beyond the capability of the heart to deliver

The most common causes of heart failure are:

Coronary artery disease

High blood pressure

Heart failure becomes more common with advancing age. You are also at increased risk for developing heart failure if you are overweight, have diabetes, smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol, or use cocaine.

When to contact a doctor

Call your health care provider if weakness, increased cough or sputum production, sudden weight gain or swelling, or other new or unexplained symptoms develop. Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (911) if you experience severe crushing chest pain, fainting, or rapid and irregular heartbeat (particularly if other symptoms accompany a rapid and irregular heartbeat).